Mazda RX8

Most people know that Mazda builds sporty cars. The heart of the Mazda RX-8 is its high-revving, 1.3-liter rotary engine called the Renesis. This, along with balanced suspension tuning, sharp steering and a svelte 3,000-pound curb weight, makes the rear-wheel-drive RX-8 one of the best-handling cars on the market.

The Mazda RX-8 is a four-seat coupe with a pair of rear-hinged "suicide" doors that ease access to the rear seats. Every RX-8 is powered by a 1.3-liter twin rotary engine, with an output that depends on the transmission. Items available on the Touring and Grand Touring include a limited-slip rear differential, automatic xenon headlights, power driver seat, memory functions, heated seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, keyless ignition/entry, surround-sound audio, Bluetooth and a navigation system.

The R3 is a high-performance variant packing 19-inch wheels, an aggressively tuned suspension, Recaro sport seats, exterior body modifications and some of the other trims' high-tech convenience features.

The rotary engine requires high engine speeds to make serious power, but the delivery is virtually vibration-free and noise levels are subdued. Introduced for 2004, the Mazda RX-8 heralded the return of the rotary-powered sports car to the United States after a near decade-long hiatus. Initially, the RX-8's automatic transmission was a four-speed unit.